Hazlewood Optimistic About Brisbane Game Availability for BGT 2024-25, Says He's Checked a Few Boxes

Australia's left-arm fast-bowling spearhead Mitchell Starc said that the team is hopeful of Josh Hazlewood featuring again in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series after the pacer was ruled out of the upcoming day-night Adelaide Test against India due to a side strain.

"It would be a great help as well, he's such an important member of the bowling core. He, Nathan, and I were in the gym during the week back in Sydney. He is obviously here with us out in Adelaide. So it's just getting some work done. Hopefully, at some stage, he does have a role," added Starc.

"Absolutely not a big (tear). I think it has been caught early enough. He was aware of how uncomfortable it was to have done it without having a large rip in it. I am very hopeful that irrespective of whether he plays down in Brisbane or not - he will still play somewhere in this series," revealed Starc on cricket.com.au's Unplayable Podcast episode.

In Hazlewood's absence, seamer Scott Boland shapes as the most likely candidate to replace him in Australia's playing eleven for the game in Adelaide. Should he be picked, it would be the first time Adelaide will host Boland playing a Test match since last 18 months.

Starc has defended Boland, who has claimed 35 wickets in his 10 Tests at 20.34, as likely to come good at Adelaide. "I don't know who they'll play but Scotty has been around for a while and has played a couple of pink-ball games. He loves playing here as well when it's nipping and just doing enough," he said.

"We saw his skills on show in the PM's XI when it was just doing enough. I played that Shield game against him a few weeks ago at the MCG where he was coming back from a couple of niggles and just coming into his rhythm.

"But you could see he was on the verge of that rhythm that you always know is there with Scotty. If he does get the chance this week, he'll be the Scotty we know and have seen before."

India and Australia will be put to the test when they both are to make a turnaround within just three days from finishing the Adelaide Test to playing the third match of the series at The Gabba in Brisbane.

"Next (this) week is going to be a challenge, going from a day-night Test in Adelaide back to back (with) the early start in Brisbane. There's a challenge in itself – first-world problems – but your preparation changes a little bit," concluded Starc.